Different gardens have different needs, Which planters suit your garden best depends upon a couple of factors. Planters are available in a wide variety of prices, sizes, colors, shapes, and materials. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Depending upon what you want to plant, for how long, and where you want to display it could be the deciding factor on which one you choose. If you want you can read our planter preparation guide here. Soil preparation is also easy.
Consider the following qualities while choosing a planter:
- Durability
- Heat Conductivity
- Permeability
- Size
- Aesthetics
- Ease of upkeep
Types of Planters available in the market:
1. Wooden Planters:
Wooden planters give that great “pirate” when used with a raw “barrel” look or it could look very refined when cut and polished to perfection to the millimeter. You can have any type of share you like really as they can be custom made. It will survive cold very well and also avoid burning the plant roots in hot weather. The only enemy here is rotting wood so it’s best to treat them. Before planting you could treat it with oil rubbing if you do not want to use sealants and chemicals. You could also like it up with plastic sheets.
2. Metal Planters
Metal planters are very durable. If made out of anything other than mild steel that is. Because MS will rust and unless coated very well, it cannot be good planter material. The best material is stainless steel 304 and upwards. They can be quite heavy, but metal planters will pay you back their price many times. There are aluminum planters and cast iron ones too. Other metal planters come in copper-coated stainless steel, zinc, lead, and pure copper. Being heavy, they are not easy to move. Also, the metal is a good conductor of heat so it will not save the roots from extreme weather.
3. Stone Planters
Stone planters are really heavy to move and are usually large unless made of stone sheets cut for flooring. Most decorative stone planters are beautiful works of art in large sizes. They are built for large spaces and are CNC cut from the source of the stone mines at the country of origin. These planters cost a lot as it is an expensive business to transport large and heavy pieces unless they are locally made. If you have a large villa or mansion, they are the right choice and will last several generations.
4. Coir Planters
Coir is probably the most logical choice if you want a recycle-friendly, cost-effective option. They are made from coconut husk and are surprisingly sturdy. Although they can budge when exposed to too much watering. Just like paper ports, they are cheap and come in a variety of colors and shapes. Usually not very large, they require little maintenance. You can use these best for seasonal plants, germinates, bed preparation, etc. You can also hang these on the wall in frames to create a lightweight vertical garden.
5. Wastepaper Planters
The other choice for eco-gardeners is a wastepaper planter. These planters work really well with veggies and seedlings. They are permeable and roots breathe really well in them. As a result, they offer quick growth to seasonal blooms too. The cost is low, it decomposes easily and can be wax-lined for longer life. do remember that wax lining can block an otherwise permeable paper layer, making it less suited for the purpose. So look at them as a basic, seasonal, recurring, short-term purchase for your garden. Great for seasonal, not good for perineal succulents.
6. Ceramic Planters
Just built like your tea-set, ceramic planters are colorful, long-lasting, and prone to some cracking. They cost quite a bit, are attractive and colorful. They tend to last a long time if you do not knock them off. The only enemy is very cold weather (cracking) and violent knocks or falls. They can break just like your expensive crockery. So gardens with kids are not the best places for them. If you have a taste for them nothing like them. They are also not permeable, so not much root breathing. Usually like other planters, the hole at the bottom is the only breather.
7. Plastic Planters
Platic planters come in a huge variety. Not only in the terms of shapes but the quality and type of plastics vary a lot. Some are extremely durable and can last a decade while others can crumple in a single season. Some are dual-layer and some are thick, quality stuff. Some plastic planters imitate other materials like leather, wood, stone, etc. They are quite easy to use and usually come with holes and markings for hanging and drilling if more are required. Plastic planters can not be reviewed in general and a lot depends on how well they are built. Being the most common type they are easy to use and work with.
8. Terra Cotta Planters
Probably one of the smallest and the largest planters can be made of terra cotta. This clay is versatile and has been used for ages. Usually brownish in color in its natural form, the planters are usually a little fragile. Terra cotta planters also are quite affordable and can be used indoors and outdoors. Terra cotta is generally unglazed and is hence permeable. It can lose moisture fast and can also absorb moisture from outside. You could use lining to avoid this.
If you are in very cold winters, you should protect the unused planters to save them from quick weathering. Leaving them out cold in ice and snow is not a great idea unless you want to lose your investment.
9. Fiberglass and Raisin Planters
Made from a blend of resin and glass fibers, these planters are molded to imitate natural materials. If plain, they are usually sore to look at. The plainest jane fiberglass planters are polished like high gloss tiles and have a marble-like texture. They can come with wood, stone, and terracotta imitations. They are not very eco-friendly but last a long time, longer than plastics but less than stone and ceramics in general. They are usually lightweight, they are durable, and do not need any special care. FRP planters can survive harsh weather and can also be used indoors.
So now those were the major types of planters and then there are more. Planters can be made of forged metals, old buckets, barrels, old cans, and a lot of recycled materials. You can literally pour and make your own acrylic planters with special effects that can win an art award. The possibilities are endless. A lot depends on what you expect to accomplish with the planter. Do leave your comments on your use and choice and we will be delighted to read and share!